Two teens who died in Warren County car crash were not driving, investigators asy

file photoJosephine Irwin , of the Long Valley section of Washington Township, Morris County, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday evening, 10/30/10.

MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP — Neither of the two teenagers killed in a Halloween weekend car crash were driving the vehicle when it veered off a Mansfield Township road and smashed into a tree, investigators in Warren County said today.

Josephine "Josie" Irwin, 17, a senior at West Morris Central High School, and Sam Reisberg, 18, of Hackettstown, died Saturday after the Chevy Cavalier in which they were riding careened off Rockport Road.

Authorities have not identified the driver, but Warren County Prosecutor Thomas Ferguson said today neither Irwin nor Reisberg was behind the wheel. Two other "young men" who were the car escaped with minor injuries, but fled on foot after the crash.

They were found nearly 12 hours later when they flagged down a Mansfield police officer. The two were taken to a hospital where they were treated for exposure, Ferguson said. Neither has been identified.

The news that neither Irwin nor Reisberg was driving offered little solace to their former classmates. School officials and friends remembered both today as bright people who were on the verge of launching successful lives.

Irwin’s older siblings — Rebecca and Nathaniel — returned to their alma mater today to visit teachers and mourn with friends, said Gil Moscatello, the principal at West Morris Central, located in Chester.

Irwin’s friends today shared memories of the girl who school officials said "always had a smile on her face."

"It’s part of the grieving process," Moscatello said.

Irwin’s family declined to comment. However, a statement released by the school said the 17-year-old was an avid field hockey and softball player who also had a knack for science.

"She was an independent thinker with friends throughout the school community," the statement said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Irwin family."

Hackettstown High School Principal John Sarcone described Reisberg as a popular, career-minded teen who loved to cook. He obtained his GED in 2009, and planned to pursure a culinary career, he said.

"He was a nice kid with a lot of friends," Sarcone said. "He was very focused on cooking and spent some time working at local summer camps and restaurants."

Reisberg is survived by a sister who also attends the high school, and a younger brother, Sarcone said.

The teenager’s family has declined to comment.

Sarcone said his staff is keeping a close eye on students who were friends with Reisberg, and will try to aid in the grieving process by working closely with guidance counselors and local clergy.

"We’re giving them a little time to work their way through this," he said, adding many of Reisberg’s friends are planning to arrange a memorial in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, authorities have released few details about the fatal crash, which Moscatello said was "frustrating" for both students and staff.

A public viewing for Irwin will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. today at St. Luke Parish in Long Valley. A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Luke’s.

Saturday’s crash was eerily similar to the 2006 wreck that claimed the life of former West Morris Central student Kyleigh D’Alessio, who died when fellow student Tanner Birch lost control of a car carrying four people and struck a tree in Long Valley. That accident inspired Kyleigh’s Law, which requires drivers under the age of 21 to display identifying markers on their vehicles.